Prairie Rose State Park

Turkey vultures

My family went camping one night last week while my sister, Sarah, was visiting Iowa. My mom, dad, Sarah, Jonathan, and I all went along (with Penny and Pippin, too) to Prairie Rose State Park, near Walnut. 

Blue jay feather at the campsite

Prairie Rose Lake is the feature of the park. It is set between terraced bean fields, and surrounded by prairie area. There are mowed trails for hiking.

Most people who come here come with campers, and those spots are in the sun with a view of the lake. There is a wooded loop for tent campers, and we found a quiet spot away from others so the dogs wouldn't have anyone to bark at.

Bee on goldenrod

We stayed Thursday night. We arrived in the afternoon, set up, and walked a short walk to the lake and some roads near our campsite. We had soup for dinner (I love having a camp stove!) and made s'mores over a fire.

Frog on milkweed by the marsh

On Friday morning, we went for a walk partway around the lake, over the spillway and through prairie area.

Adam's rod? (Mullein) and Prairie Rose Lake

Prairie rose at Prairie Rose!

Honey locust tree

Mom and Sarah

In the afternoon, we packed up and set out. Jonathan and I went home, and Mom and Dad took Sarah on some final stops before her flight home that night. It was a peaceful time with family, ending her visit.

And now, a PREVIEW of my next post--an aerial view of Prairie Rose Lake, taken by me Friday afternoon:

Isn't that cool? More to come on how THAT happened.